PNG police boss warns of election bribes

Papua New Guinea's police commissioner has appealed to the country's security forces to stand firm against bribes and threats during national elections starting on Saturday.

At a parade of police, soldiers and prison officers in the Western Highlands capital Mt Hagen at the weekend, Gari Baki told officers that candidates and their supporters would try to influence them.

"There have been instances in the past where we have heard of candidates bribing entire polling and security officials to allow them to have things done their way," Baki said.

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"Make no mistake, you will be approached, you will be offered money, you may even be threatened.

"But I ask each one of you to stand firm. Do not sell yourselves. Do not lose your dignity and self respect. Do not be bribed."

About 11,000 officers of the disciplined forces will provide security during the 10-day voting period from Saturday, particularly focusing on the Highlands region where widespread violence and vote rigging marred the 2002 election.

Baki told officers that no amount of money could buy back their dignity and self-respect if they accepted bribes.

"If you receive 50 kina ($A20) now you will be branded for life as a corrupt, useless, good-for-nothing police, defence or correctional officer ..." he said.

"People will lose their respect for you. They will talk behind your back and laugh at you. This will affect your families, especially your wives and children."

Baki said he was confident of a free and fair election and noted that the new Limited Preferential Voting (LPV) system had encouraged peaceful campaigning.

"The LPV system, as opposed to first past the post, encourages candidates to make friends," he said.

"There is no more mad rush and grab of voters. Candidates are opening up their base to others in the hope of securing second and third votes."

But Baki said he was not ruling out trouble and the security forces were prepared for the worst.

The parade was a show of strength to the public, warning that the security forces were ready to provide an environment free from threats, intimidation and foul play, he said.

Some 2,740 candidates are contesting 109 seats in PNG's parliament following a record five-year term by Prime Minister Michael Somare.